He Said He

From beginning to end.

he cared he said he liked the red

in my hair in the summer’s sunlight

he said he wanted lots of noisy

kids he said he would write a poem he

said he adored intelligent women

he said he was glad I worked he said

he loved freckles he said he loved

me

why oh why and couldn’t I hear that every word was about himself and

every word a lie

From beginning to end.

*****

M.A. Mohanraj

December 7, 1992